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Puggat |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
China <> U.S.A. -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Puggat |
| The Puggat is a specific cross between the Pug, an ancient Chinese pet, and a feisty exterminator known as the Rat Terrier. These little dogs are quite energetic and playful, sometimes even clownish in their behavior, and they tend to be naturally friendly and outgoing, however, they have an intense prey drive, so they can't always be trusted around small animals. They are an easy-care little dog, needing less grooming and exercise than many other dogs, but require a lot of attention and love, and can tend to adopt mischievous or destructive behaviors if ignored for too long. |
History of the Puggat |
| The Puggat is an intentional hybrid, a cross between the Pug breed, a dog that has provided companionship to royalty for thousands of years, and the Rat Terrier, a feisty farm terrier developed in the U.S.A. |
A little of the Pug |
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| Believed to be one of the oldest breeds still in existence today, Pugs were first recorded as the companions of royalty in China during the Shang Dynasty, which lasted from around 1600 to 1046 B.C. They were not only the cherished companions of the ruling class, but were also considered prized possessions and given as gifts to esteemed dignitaries and visiting royal families. In this way, the charming Pug dog was distributed worldwide, becoming very popular with Royals the world over. These little dogs were frequently seen at the English court of King William III and Queen Mary II in the 1600s, and featured prominently in portraits of Princess Ekaterina Dmitrievna Golitsyna in 1700s Russia. In the 1800s, their popularity exploded again when Queen Victoria became interested in both showing and breeding Pugs. | ||
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| Standard of the Pug |
A little of the Rat Terrier |
| The Rat Terrier, on the other hand, is a much more recent breed, although its age and origin are a matter of some dispute. Many claim that the Rat Terrier was first developed in England in the mid-1800s, the offspring of smooth-coated Fox Terriers and Manchester Terriers. Other experts claim that the Rat Terrier is an American dog, developed in the USA as a descendant of the aforementioned Terrier that was brought to America from England, due to the addition of breeds such as the Whippet, Italian Greyhound and Beagle, which were used to greatly increase the breed's speed, endurance and tracking ability. Originally employed as farm dogs in the U.S.A., they became more popular as pets in the early 1900s when Teddy Roosevelt took office and brought his dogs with him to the White House. |
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| Presentation of the Rat Terrier |
Appearance of the Puggat |
| This hybrid is generally a fairly small dog, although individual Puggats can have different structural traits, and even dogs from the same litter can vary considerably. Those that take after their Pug heritage will generally have a square appearance, and will also probably have broader heads and shorter muzzles than those that more closely resemble the compact but long-legged Rat Terrier. This hybrid may inherit the Pug's dark, round, soulful eyes, or the Rat Terrier's alert, oval eyes, which come in many shades, and while the ears certainly sit high on the head, they can vary from small to medium in size and can fold close to the skull, stand upright or anything in between. The coats of these crossbreeds should be universally short, glossy and close, although they can vary in texture from soft to coarse and can display a wide assortment of colors and markings. |
Temperament of the Puggat |
| The Puggat is a playful, affectionate animal with a generally stable temperament. They are generally very people-oriented and will want to spend most of their time in the company of their family. Like most small dogs, socialization is essential to avoid the development of anxious or fearful behaviors and to give this canine its best start in life. Mental exercises and training routines need to start early, as these are intelligent but stubborn dogs, and those who lean towards the Rat Terrier can become a little mischievous if not kept busy enough. This combination can be a little easier to train than the Pug alone due to the Rat Terrier's attention, although potty training is often difficult, partly due to the inability of some Pug mixes to control their bladders until they reach around six months of age. Although these dogs generally get on well with other dogs and cats, they can develop the strong prey drive of the Rat Terrier, which usually makes them dangerous around animals that slip, scurry or flutter. |
Needs and activities of the Puggat |
| Although the Rat Terrier is a very active small dog, the Pug tends to be less energetic, and the offspring of both, the Puggat, is generally content with around 45 minutes of vigorous activity a day, divided into two or three shorter periods of sessions each day. Activities that can provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation for your Puggat may include walks around the neighborhood, retrieving games, agility training or even tracking exercises. Although this dog is active and playful, it is generally quite quiet, barking only when necessary, making it a good candidate for apartment living. |
Maintenance of the Puggat |
| The Puggat generally has few grooming requirements, thanks to its short, easy-care coat. This hybrid generally needs bathing only a few times a year, and a few minutes brushing with a smooth brush or grooming glove will help remove dead hairs and keep the coat soft and shiny. This dog may be more prone to developing allergies and other skin disorders. His skin should therefore be assessed every time he is brushed, and precautions taken to ensure that any facial wrinkles he has received from his Pug side remain clean and dry. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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